Army Spc. Jeremy Hall was raised Baptist.
Like many Christians, he said grace before dinner and read the Bible before bed. Four years ago when he was deployed to Iraq, he packed his Bible so he would feel closer to God.
He served two tours of duty in Iraq and has a near perfect record. But somewhere between the tours, something changed. Hall, now 23, said he no longer believes in God, fate, luck or anything supernatural.
Hall said he met some atheists who suggested he read the Bible again. After doing so, he said he had so many unanswered questions that he decided to become an atheist.
His sudden lack of faith, he said, cost him his military career and put his life at risk. Hall said his life was threatened by other troops and the military assigned a full-time bodyguard to protect him out of fear for his safety.
Our government has all kinds of protections built into to it to protect somebody's personal religious beliefs. In prison they even allow Wiccans to celebrate Halloween in peace.
But who protects the Atheist? Who makes sure that the person without a belief system is treated fairly?
The Christian community is always talking about religious persecution in this country, usually around Christmas time, even though not too very long ago in this country many Christians refused to celebrate Christmas because it was considered too secular, but is that really accurate?
I contend that the real persecution in his country is from those who feel that somebody is not a "real" Christian or that they dare to be a non-believer. Surprisingly, and I have found this in my own life, having a belief in another religion besides Christianity gives you a free pass. It seems that most Christians will forgive you for not believing in their superstition so long as you believe in some other superstition. How weird is that?
You cannot believe how many practicing Christians read their Horoscope every single day, even though it is a remnant of a so-called Pagan belief system. And they see no contradiction whatsoever.
But who protects the Atheist?
ReplyDeleteSuperb question, Gryph.
This is one of the myraid reasons I am so angry and disappointed in Obama.
He said he plans to expand Bush's so-called "faith-based initiatives."
I was raised Catholic but I am now an Atheist. Will Mr. Obama use Federal dollars, READ: American tax dollars, to fund Atheist-based initiatives?
I fear we may have made a huge blunder helping make Obama the nominee. Maybe the Borg Queen (gulp) was the superior choice after all?
really really disturbing...omg...
ReplyDeletefascism indeed...
Christopher!
ReplyDeleteI am shocked! Do you really think that Hillary would have been the better nominee?
Hopefully it is not just because of her FISA vote, I do not believe that we can count on her vote to have been against the bill if she were the candidate. She is very politically savvy after all, and she pandered to the right waaay more then Barack has.
I know you are upset, as am I. But I don't think we should throw the baby out with the bathwater yet.
I think Obama is getting a lot of contradictory feedback right now and the most we can do is express our feelings and hope that if enough of us are on the same page it may reach his campaign workers and perhaps he will hear of it. It may at least let him know he is in danger of losing our support.
As a matter of fact I am on my way in just a few minutes to meet with the Anchorage Obama staff. I can guarantee these concerns will come up during our meeting.
Hang tough buddy.
Gryphen,
ReplyDeleteIt's just the piling on effect.
- NAFTA
- faith-based initiatives
- gun control
- sucking up to AIPAC
- FISA
I hope we haven't made a big mistake.
I hear you Chris, and I am certainly not going to be an Obama apologist, I just don't want to give the Hillary people any "I told you so" moments yet.
ReplyDeleteI just got back from talking to the folks as the Obama Alaska HQ and I have to say they are a little taken aback by these recent developments as well.
I am an Obama supporter right now. But if he continue on this way I will still vote for him but I cannot be numbered among his supporters.
You have been a good warrior for justice in the past and I think Obama would be sorry to lose your voice speaking out for him in the future.
But you are your own man Christopher so you look into your heart and make the decision that works best for you.
I am hoping that Obama's move to the right is to bring in votes and that he will not be deserting his base. But he is a consensus and compromise kind of guy - I suppose you have to be to be in politics at all.
ReplyDeleteI doubt Clinton would be doing any different - plus, she would be bringing all her beltway baggage along.
I believe Obama's the only chance we have for even a little change, but I don't expect to see it really fast, since the mess he's inheriting from Bush is huge and deep. I can only hope he picks a good person for Veep - like Edwards, either John or his wife, which will make the transition back to a republic swifter.
Thanks for cherry picking the news for me!
In reference to "protecting atheism" in this country--I believe in live and let live; and the Constitution and Bill of Rights to 'Religious Freedom'--but this is ONE NATION, UNDER GOD; it is not tired rhetoric it is truth and origin of establishment and intent to maintenance. Atheism is not a form of religious diversity to be fostered, and promoted; heralded with the rest of the backward and twisted far-left "progressive" anti-christian agenda. The same agenda that warps the 1rst Amendment into a protective barrier over "art" such as 'Piss Christ' which consists of no more than a crucifix in a jar of urine. That is not art, that is not brilliance. That is a brazen, and public attack of psychological violence against a group.
ReplyDeleteIn reference to Obama (as of late); I have been supporting him all along--I am a 4th Generation Democrat, a 'Classical Liberal' and I begin to distrust people who "develop" [in terms of thier message, policies, and convictions] ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL... what is more--he has just recently voted FOR the latest BUSH SURVEILLANCE BILL. All my real hopes are on my Alaskan Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful Mark Begich, an Independant, and best, most serious challenger to take on the WIZARD of OZ himself, TED STEVENS--BEGICH needs the Nation's support.
--Macary (in Alaska)